The best things in life come in small ‘pink’ packages
By Correne Martin
When a happy couple welcomes a healthy, firstborn child into the world, the moment is as endearing and glorious as any miracle imaginable. Those incomparable emotions were evident on the beaming faces of the young Prairie du Chien couple who delivered the New Year’s baby at Crossing Rivers Health on Tuesday, Jan. 5.
With her warm, smooth complexion and full head of dark hair, Kinsley Olivia was born to Josh and Danielle Snyder at 1:45 a.m. under the watchful eye of Dr. Robert Key, of Mayo Clinic, Prairie du Chien. She weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces, and measured 19 inches long. They were the first of numerous families who filled Crossing Rivers’ birthing suite last week.
Kinsley was the very first grandbaby on Danielle’s side of the family and the first granddaughter for Josh’s family. Grandparents include Shelley Buss, of Cedarville, Ill., Kevin and Donna Buss, of Davis, Ill., and Scott and Crystal Snyder, of Manistique, Mich.
“She’s going to be spoiled, for sure, with lots of pink,” Danielle shared.
Danielle said she went to her 40-week checkup and her water broke in Dr. Key’s office. Following that appointment, she was sent home to prepare for an induction on Jan. 5. The little one, who they knew was a girl, was actually due on Jan. 6. Danielle’s labor went quickly; after being admitted at 4 p.m., Kinsley came less than 10 hours later.
“She’s been awesome,” the overjoyed new mom said of her new baby girl, who laid serenely, eyes closed and fashionably dressed, in mommy’s arms during her first interview and photo shoot.
“It’s really exciting,” added Josh, who couldn’t stop smiling. “There’s definitely a lot of highs and lows. It’s the most amazing feeling.”
The new parents were pleased with the hospital’s nursing staff, who they felt were “very helpful and knowledgeable.”
“They know when you need help and they make you feel like you’re doing a great job,” Danielle commended.
Danielle and Josh weren’t surprised that their daughter was awarded the first baby title but they were certainly thrilled to hear the news in the delivery room. “It was a running joke our whole pregnancy since we knew I was due the 6th,” she said. “So when she arrived, Dr. Key said he thought she was the first baby. We couldn’t believe it.”
Interestingly, Kinsley’s name joins a short list of New Year’s babies among 300-plus newborns Dr. Key has personally delivered throughout his career.
The Snyder family of three was released from Crossing Rivers Health on Thursday, Jan. 7, with bags and envelopes of gifts provided by community sponsors of the first baby of 2016. The gift package incudes a bag of goodies from Peoples State Bank, a one-night stay at the AmericInn Lodge and Suites, a one-night stay at Country Inn and Suites, a dental care package for the new mom from Dental Associates, an oil change and 27-point inspection at Pink’s Automotive, one month of free fitness for mom and dad at Suppz Gym, a one-year subscription to the Courier Press, a $25 gift card to Walmart, a $20 gift certificate to the Spring Lake Inn, a $10 gift certificate to The Planted Tree, a $10 gift certificate to Hungry House Cafe, a $10 gift certificate to Panka Family Shoe Store, two value baskets and kid’s meal at Culver’s, a free family pizza at Papa Murphy’s, two footlong sandwiches at Subway, a car wash at Krachey’s BP, an eight-piece bucket of chicken and dinner at Coaches Family Restaurant, a $5 gift certificate at The Local Oven, a $5 gift certificate to Stark’s Sport Shop, and promotional goodies from Crossing Rivers Health.
According to mom and dad, Kinsley’s “big sister” Nina, a 7-year-old terrier-beagle mix, was patiently waiting for her at home, with a present in paw.